The Homeless

Michael Hiltwein has a smoke on his bed under a bridge in Great Falls. After having his driver's license suspended, Hiltwein had no reliable way to get to work, forcing him to live on the streets. Tribune Photo/Joshua Kodis



Michael Hiltwein says he didn't choose to be homeless, and doesn't plan to live this way forever. Tribune Photo/Joshua Kodis



Michael Hiltwein and Butch sit down for a smoke in the morning in their camp under a bridge before setting off to search for food or work. Tribune Photo/Joshua Kodis



Karl "Butch" Smock has been living on the streets for 40 years. Not because he has to, but at 53 years old, he says he choses to live a free life. Tribune Photo/Joshua Kodis



Supplies are set up under the bridge just as if they would be packed away in cupboards in a house. Life under the bridge is tough, but some of those living here wouldn't have it any other way. Tribune Photo/Joshua Kodis



Michael Hiltwein collects his things stored away on the metal beams of the bridge he sleeps under in Great Falls before setting off on his day in search of money, food and warmth. Tribune Photo/Joshua Kodis

Thoughts-

I didn't set out to find this story. I was looking for wild art one day and wandered down towards the train tracks. I came across a dirt trail leading underneath the bridge that stretched over the tracks. When walked under there, I walked into a camp that was obvious it hosted long term residents. No one was around, so I snapped some empty shots of the camp and later showed them to my editor. He gave to okay to chase after the story for the next few weeks.

HERE is the first part of three stories for the Tribune that I helped write.